International Institute for Nanotechnology

The International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) was established by Northwestern University in 2000. It was the first institute of its kind in the United States and is one of the premier nanoscience research centers in the world. Today, the IIN represents and unites more than $1 billion in nanotechnology research, educational programs, and supporting infrastructure.

IIN faculty includes 85 members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. It brings together more than 240 chemists, engineers, biologists, physicians, and business experts, to focus on application of nanotechnology to improve society, creating a synergy essential to the progress of nanotechnology, that cannot be easily found elsewhere. It has developed collaborative partnerships with academic institutions around the world, including sister institutes at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and the Hunan University, China. Over 100 corporations partner with the IIN through active research and the Nanotechnology Corporate Partners program.

Since its inception, more than 1,800 products and systems have been commercialized world-wide. Twenty start-up companies have been launched based upon IIN research, and they have attracted over $700 million in venture capital funding. The IIN is changing the face of research in fields from medical diagnostics to materials science. The IIN drives innovation-based business formation, employment and economic growth.

The IIN has partnerships in 18 countries outside the United States, as well as connections with universities worldwide. For students, these relationships mean they can take advantage of postdoctoral exchange programs. Their annual symposium draws researchers from around the world.

The IIN embodies an extraordinary combination of scientific capabilities, outreach programs, and partnerships that provide a unique and fertile ground from which to continue to make substantial contributions to the field and ensure that the U.S. remains a world leader in nanotechnology. The role of the Institute is to support meaningful efforts in nanotechnology, house state-of-the-art nanomaterials characterization facilities, and nucleate individual and group efforts aimed at addressing and solving key problems in nanotechnology. The IIN positions Northwestern University and its partners in academia, industry, and national labs as leaders in this exciting field.